Are you embarrassed to smile because you have discolored teeth? Unsightly stains really can change not only the way you feel about yourself, but the way others perceive you as well.
If you’re on a budget but want to improve your smile’s appearance, then you should consider teeth whitening! You may be surprised to see what a difference it can make on your overall look.
There are several teeth bleaching options in Phoenix available. Over-the-counter kits, professional take-home systems, and in-office treatments are amongst the most popular.
Here is a breakdown of each kind, to help you determine which one is best for you.
Over-The-Counter Bleaching Kits
While other over-the-counter teeth whitening treatments are available, bleaching strips are the most popular and effective. Different formulas are available within this category, but essentially you’ll see a set of thin, sticky, strips that contain a whitening gel on then. To apply them, you push the strip onto your teeth then after a few minutes they dissolve or you peel them off. Changes in your smile will be gradual and the entire process may take several weeks, but many over-the-counter bleaching kits do work well (especially for mild stain or teens.)
Take-Home Professional Whitening
The next step up in the whitening process requires a visit to the dentist for a take-home professional whitening kit. These are strong formulas that aren’t available over the counter. To ensure that the whitening gel is going to work well, we first make you a set of plastic trays that are custom fitted to your mouth. Two short visits are all that’s needed.
The first appointment is to get an impression of your teeth that will be used for us to make the trays. Your second appointment, which may be about 1-7 days later, will be for you to pick up your trays and the bleaching solution. We’ll walk you through the process to ensure that you know how to use everything.
Depending on the formula, you’ll whiten once or twice a day for about 30-60 minutes at a time. You should start to see results within just a few days, and the entire process may take about 10 days.
You can expect at-home professional results to last longer over-the-counter products. Results will also be brighter, but you may also be more likely to develop sensitivity due to the more potent formula. However, the discomfort is temporary and can be masked by using a sensitivity toothpaste.
Phoenix In-Office Whitening
In-office whitening is performed in our Phoenix dentist office by our staff. The procedure takes about 90 minutes total and when you leave, you’ll have a much brighter smile.
The process consists of you relaxing in the treatment chair while we isolate your teeth from your soft tissue. Once that’s completed, we apply the bleaching gel and shine a special light over the area to activate the whitening formula. Typically, the solution will sit there for 15 minutes then it gets rinsed off and reapplied for a total of three times. We’ll measure the shade of your teeth so that you can see exactly how white they get in one visit!
“Should I Whiten My Teeth?”
If you’re interested in learning more about our professional teeth whitening options, then call Central Valley Dentistry of Pheonix, AZ. We look forward to helping you makeover your smile!
